Never Say Never

I always said I’d never write fiction. For the past twenty-plus years, I’ve written curriculum, newspaper articles, magazine articles, newsletter articles, and books! All of them well received. All of them nonfiction. I am a seasoned non-fiction writer, so why should I change?

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future,’” Jeremiah 29:10-12.

So, I know His plans are good, but I said “Never!” Now I have to eat my words. Lesson here? Never say never. You never know what God has planned.

This scripture became the foundation for my first novel. It’s a story about two women who need to learn that God’s plans are good, and in those plans He gives them hope for the future. I didn’t know that I’d be joining my characters on this journey of change, but God’s plans were in the works as I journeyed with them in writing their story.

And I’m hooked! I love writing fiction. Go figure.

In all the changes that come our way, knowing that God is in the middle of them helps us hang on with hope and promise. Unfortunately, many people, writers included, are often too uncomfortable, too impatient, and too restless during this transition time to allow the process to fully work out.

In the past, I was one of them. I had my plans, and by golly, I’d see them through. But I have learned to let God’s plans unfold, and I let Him lead. I now wait with hopeful anticipation, and my sweet supportive husband is always there through it all.

Dale has been an amazing teammate, especially during my transition from writing non-fiction to plowing into writing my first novel. I was so excited and intent, that there were times he had to pull me away from my computer and encourage me to get out and smell the roses. But most of the time, my sweet husband just smiled, enjoying the passion I have to write and laughing at the excitement I had for the project.

In any transition, the challenge is to embrace what God is doing and find hope for the future in that change. He does have plans to give us a hope-filled, abundant life as we walk through the changes and transitions of life. Never say never, and hold on to this truth when you’re tossed to and fro by the winds of change, and it will anchor you to His love, as it did for me.

How has this scripture given you hope in your life? I’d love to know!